Re: Questioning Classmates

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to say that in Kel's 4th grade class the kids hand in their

papers into an array of inboxes. This is done during a 15-minute

organizational period as soon as school starts (announcements are going on,

kids are pulling things out of their backpacks, hanging up coats, digging

around in their desks, etc.) and from what I've seen no one can notice or

even pays attention whether this child or that one has turned in a certain

paper or any papers at all. All assignments are given one day and due the

next morning so there's no passing papers forward etc. during the day.

(Exception--tests, when the teacher walks around the room picking up papers

from the students' desks. The desks are arranged in what I sarcastically

call " conversation groups " , 4 or 5 turned in to face each other--can you

tell my child has gotten more than her share of conduct marks for

talking??--so it's not possible to pass papers forward to the teacher.) So

a similar arrangement could work in classrooms where one child is not

turning in work due to OCD and classmates are noticing and asking

questions.

I suggest anyone having problems with getting a teacher to be helpful and

understanding, do their best to find an ally in the school system who might

be able to " speak the teacher's language. " This could be the school

psychologist, counselor, nurse, spec. ed. teacher, or other who is in the

position to advocate for your child. The principal may be your best bet if

a

teacher is truly opposed to even the idea of altering any classroom routine

in order to accommodate your child's needs and smooth your child's path.

It's easy I've found to spend all the school year attempting to " prove " that

your child has OCD and moreover, that OCD symptoms are the reason your child

can't do this or that thing the teacher requires. Then the year ends and in

the

fall, it all may have to be done all over again with the new teachers.

Another tactic is to ask your child's pdoc or therapist to call the teacher

to explain/validate OCD and the limitations it is putting on your child's

participation in the classroom. This really works well in our experience.

Of course the best thing is having accommodations formalized in a 504 or

IEP but unfortunately even then parents may find themselves having to

police compliance, complaining when the accommodations are not allowed

or are misunderstood (always after the fact of course).

Kathy R. in Indiana

----- Original Message -----

> Is handing in his homework a public thing? How do his classmates know?

> Perhaps the teacher needs to have an " in " box and have the kids put their

> homework in it as they come in to the room in the morning. I can't see why

any child

> should have to be humiliated about their homework. I really hate the

amount

> of public shaming that goes on in most schools (putting kids' scores up on

the

> board, charts showing who has passed what math test, etc.). I can't see

how

> any of that helps anyone.

> I wouldn't want to get confrontational about it, but in all honesty,

I'd

> say that your son's accommodations should be arranged to be completely

> confidential, and having the rest of the class notice violates his rights.

His teacher

> certainly should know that.

>